Le Cirque des Rêves is only open at night, and the fact that it appears and disappears without warning is the least curious thing about it. the nocturnal attraction, styled entirely in black and white, is full of extraordinary wonders, and not even the performers know that it is the setting for a behind-the-scenes magical duel.

i was certainly charmed as celia and marco play in a game they’ve been trained for since childhood, their complicated relationship with the circus, the performers, the patrons, and each other entangles the fates of many into an already high-stakes battle.

the descriptive and imaginative detail in this book is truly…well…magical.

the fantastical themes really worked for me, sweeping me into scenes where i marveled at the creativity and inventiveness of the author.

for me, the story was more entertaining when i decided to just enjoy the ride and not worry about the route or destination of the sprawling, time-jumping story. the puzzle is tightly woven and very slowly unraveled, and while i usually get into a good brain-twister, trying to reconcile all the pieces of this one would only have diminished my delight.

has anyone read this book? were you drawn in by the mystery or the imagery?

i like to purchase some produce at the ethnic markets around the city for the interesting variety they offer. there is a tiny, but well-known, mediterranean deli in okc that i frequent. the food is delicious and authentic, the owner always happy and helpful, and the small market is somehow stocked with every possible item you might want to put together a wonderful mediterranean meal. between stopping in occasionally for lunch, stocking up on fatayah and lebni for my titu, and general shopping trips for my own kitchen, i visit often enough that they know my “usual” order.

they have exotic produce choices like prickly pears, sweet limes, and unusual varieties of eggplant and cucumbers. recently i noticed some baskets filled with small orbs i couldn’t identify, and the friendly owner of the deli informed me that they are just the very fresh versions of familiar foods. so of course i bought some to try.

my first exploratory sample was these straight-off-the-tree pistachios. once you break through the thick skin, the recognizable clam-shaped shell is revealed, with the green nut inside. the shell and nut are not completely dried like the pistachios i’m used to eating, so they have a softer texture with less crunch. still yummy, but too much extra work to get inside.

these unripe dates were fun, because they tasted good crunchy or soft (but much better fully ripened). the difficult part was waiting for them to get soft and sweet before eating them. and the pit was harder to remove before they fully ripened.

i never would have guessed that this little pod contained a fresh green garbanzo bean! it was a strange to eat a handful of raw beans—they were soft and a little tangy. the flavor was nothing like the dried-then-cooked chickpea that i’m familiar with. i’m not sure exactly how one would use them…as is, cook from this stage, or dry then cook?

i also tried some fresh almonds that were white and kinda juicy beneath the fuzzy exterior. i like that they retain their natural water, because i usually soak my nuts prior to eating, anyway. but the flavor was not “nutty” to me (which i prefer), and some were still a bit jelly-like in the center (which i did not prefer).

in the end my adventure in eating fresh was short-lived, at least when it comes to beans and nuts. it was a fun experiment, but i can’t see these foods being in regular rotation at my table.

PROMPT: You’re on an airplane, mid-flight, when one of the overhead bins suddenly opens. Three bags fall out, spilling their contents up and down the aisle. Describe the three bags and what was in each. Through your descriptions, show us who their owners are and what those people are like. **Added challenge: Turn those bags into characters. Try using personification and other forms of figurative language to make the baggage itself have, well, baggage.

the occasional shudder of turbulence suddenly becomes a stomach-lurching dip in altitude that incites a collective gasp from the passengers. before i can fully recover, the overhead compartment across the aisle flies open, pouring it’s cargo into the cabin.

the strap of an oversized purple and orange tote snags on the latch of the overhead bin, and the tired bag hangs upside down from the hook, emptying it’s contents with a sigh onto the lap of the lady in the aisle seat. relieved to be free of the heavy load, the well-worn satchel dances an aerial jig with the bounce of the airplane.

while the startled young woman tries to decide whether to cover her head or catch the items raining down on her, the briefcase that was nestled behind the colorful carryall slides forward, launches across the aisle, and slams angrily into the headrest of the seat in front of me. the seat’s occupant, clearly oblivious to the concussion he narrowly averted, whips around to deliver a glare that says he holds me responsible for the rattling annoyance.

i immediately throw my hands up in a display of innocence, but before he can even acknowledge my gesture, an overstuffed backpack tumbles out of the open bin and catches him right across the nose. he curses and stares down at the paunchy pack, which has settled on top of what must be his own briefcase, judging by the speed with which he unbuckles so he can reach it.

but as the suit-clad man snatches the surly case up by the handle, it’s evident that the closure was damaged on it’s impact with either the seat or the floor. wounded from it’s attempted assault, the ornery attaché falls open and releases a steady stream of papers…no, pamphlets…no, comic books! “graphic novels,” i hear him mutter as he hastily gathers the fluttering pages.

meanwhile, the boy in the window seat is clamoring over the woman with a lap full of her belongings to get to his bulging knapsack. he upsets the pile of paraphernalia she had been assembling, and the magazines, lipsticks, candy, pens, half-crocheted scarf, ball of yarn, and red cloche hat spill into the aisle and roll toward first class. a flight attendant positions herself in front of the curtain in a wide-legged crouch, ready to play goalie and block any coach possessions from breaking through.

the boy crawls under a surprised passenger’s feet to retrieve his bag, and trips the businessman chasing down a runaway comic caught in the stream of an air vent over his head. both right themselves, and while the red-faced man retreats to his seat, the boy tries to refasten the canvas belt that had been cinched around the pudgy backpack.

the numerous zippers were already straining to contain the excess of stuff, so with the belt loosened, the sack exhales gratefully and lets the hoodie in the middle pocket hang out a little. the boy shoves it back in, but this only widens the gap at the top, ejecting an mp3player and tangle of headphones. the poor guy clamps his hand over the opening too late to prevent a heavy book from forcing the zipper wide open. the bright yellow volume lies on the floor just long enough for me to read “Baking for Dummies” before it disappears under his t-shirt.

the uncompliant backpack continues to refuse the property of its exasperated owner, so he finally scoops up all his things in a bulky bear hug. he awkwardly climbs back into his window seat just as an attendant announces “the captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign…”

more interaction, strengthened relationships, and cooperative accomplishments are the goal of my one word for 2012. but i have a feeling that sharing more this year will also have the happy side-effect of increasing my general activity in areas that i commit to share.

figment friday will no doubt encourage me to write more, so i’m sure establishing a weekly book review will guarantee that i finish the books i start.

i’ve been tracking the books i read on goodreads for several years, but not all of my bookish friends are members of the site. i do invite book recommendations and reviews here on the what i read page, but that’s not really the best forum for stirring up good discussion over a great (or horrible) book.

so for all the bookworms out there, wednesdays will be for you. i may not be able to read one book per week (i’m aiming for 2-3 per month), so when i haven’t finished anything new, i’ll share about another book that i’ve read in the past year or two.

i just finished a pretty good read that i’m looking forward to reviewing next week. what about you? have you read something lately that i should put on my list?

image via agile101

in an effort to write more in 2012, i’ve signed up for figment‘s daily themes. i’ve been diligently churning out quick burst of words based on the varied writing prompts, and plan to continue the daily exercise for the three months that the themes will be offered.

i’m challenging myself to share at least five of my pieces on the figment site, and i’d like to post at least twice as many here. so from now until march 30, each week i will choose one of my responses to the daily prompts to publish here on ~okieOLIO~ for “figment friday.”

starting today.

PROMPT: Using third person, write about a moment when a character who usually feels (and perhaps is) painfully awkward temporarily feels singularly beautiful, handsome, sexy, and at ease.

her feet literally drag the ground as she hauls her lanky frame through the front door. the scrape of her heels on the hardwood floors makes her cringe a little, but the weariness from fighting her slouchy posture all day wins out.

as she passes the living room, she shrugs off the tailored blazer, but her bracelet gets lodged so thoroughly in the sleeve that she is forced to violently shake her arm until the entire jacket is dangling inside out from one wrist. she frees herself with a jerk, not caring for the welfare of the obstinate piece of jewelry, and both accessories fall to the floor. with a sigh she kicks off her shoes and allows them to join the pile.

she shuffles by the kitchen, not the slightest bit interested in dinner. her stomach is still churning from the humiliation of the incident at the office that day. if only she could maintain control over her ungainly limbs while in public!

safely inside her familiar bedroom, she instinctively reaches toward the docked iPod, and in seconds is rewarded with soothing notes filling the room. stumbling out of her restrictive garments, the tension in her body begins to release in response to the music.

the almost imperceptible sway of her shoulders slowly spreads to the rest of her. the sharp elbows and knees that usually define her stiff gait are suddenly graceful and elegant in the imagination of the girl overcome by movement. her twirling and bounding throughout the room builds with the song, and soon she is breathless and flushed.

impulsively she grabs the silky scarf from top of her dresser and flings it over her head with enthusiasm. a few heedless giggles escape as it floats down, and she snatches it from the air before it flutters out of reach. draping the delicate cloth around her curveless waist, she executes a clumsy sashay across the floor, swinging her hips flirtatiously to the rhythm of the song. she can feel herself blushing as if the eyes of a dozen admiring men were on her.

as the music fades, she falls gleefully onto the down comforter with a contented grin–one that has not shown itself since the previous night’s dance.

withdrawn. inhibited. reserved.

for most of my life, these words could not be used to describe me. i’ve always been the one that would talk your ear off, plunge headlong into any new adventure, and had no trouble showing emotion. my talkative, open, affectionate personality is, i think, partially due to my family culture, but mostly just…me.

but lately that’s been different. life’s events have compelled me to seal off the my true thoughts and feelings with the excuse of protecting those i love from unpleasant conversations. lack of motivation has eaten away at my productivity, unleashing a steady stream of self-scolding that won’t allow much fun-with-friends time until i shape up. feeling disconnected has led me to reach out less, write less, speak up less.

somewhere along the way i’ve become timid and reticent–to the detriment of my relationships, my professional goals, my personal ambitions, and my spiritual growth.

but, oh, how i love a fresh start. blank notebooks, the start of a road trip, clean laundry.

while i’ve never set a new year’s resolution with any earnestness, i’ve always enjoyed the motivated, energized air that surrounds the turning over of a new year.

there is a small online movement of inspired people choosing one word to sum up goals for the new year. the one word 365 community has come together to encourage each other in focusing on one word for 2012 that “becomes the filter through which you see and live your life. It steers your decisions and guides your steps…a word that can be a reminder, a nudge. A word that you can reflect on, that will challenge you, that will inspire you…”

like my friend megan, it seemed as if my word chose me, rather than the other way around. it’s been ducking in and out of my thoughts and prayers for awhile now, just waiting for me to acknowledge it and give it a place in my heart. i think i’m ready to do that.

my one word for 2012 is SHARE.

at first i was hesitant to use the word that has become a ubiquitous online button linked to every social media platform you can imagine. (oh no, now I’ve put the association into your head, too!) …but, ultimately, it is the word that best describes the way i need to stretch myself this year.

so while there will be some clicking of the online “share” button for me, mostly i want this year to be about being less restrained in areas that i have become closed off.

i will SHARE my stories and not let insecurities make me hesitant to write.

i will SHARE compliments instead of only thinking nice things about others.

i will SHARE my sadness with my husband and family rather than letting it build up inside.

i will SHARE in others’ joys and sorrows and not withhold support i could offer.

i will SHARE my aspirations with others who might be able to give advice and accountability.

i will SHARE my knowledge and talents with those who might benefit from my experiences.

i will SHARE my faith struggles with God even if i feel distant in prayer.

my hope is that this focus will help me live my life on purpose and reach more aggressively toward my goals for the coming year. 2012 is the year i reclaim the real me.

available. expressive. unselfish.

image via david-ogaga

always laughing together

a Big Sister is supposed to play a certain role in the sibling dynamic. older brothers, too. but i’m a sister, so that’s what we’re talking about today.

role model. mentor. it’s practically become the definition of the title. i’m the one who guides and protects my little brother and sister when mom and dad can’t. that’s what the eldest sibling does.

what i didn’t realize is that the job isn’t necessarily permanent. a Big Sister may be able to offer guidance based on her head start for awhile, but if she’s lucky, one day her younger siblings catch up.

they started to close in on my lead in our teens. in high school and college my brother and sister became two of my best friends as we shared more extracurricular activities, interests, inside jokes, and milestone moments.

as we grew into adults, we tracked neck-and-neck as our relationship matured. i looked up to them as much as i hoped they had looked up to me growing up. i remember distinctly the first time i felt like bryan played the role of big brother to me, and have a vivid memory of the first time kelleigh gave me big sisterly advice.

while i absolutely love being able to go to my little bro and sis for support and wisdom, having my position in the lead overtaken was unsettling at first. i’m supposed to be the one out in front cutting through the wind resistance. now i’m drafting in their slipstream from time to time.

yesterday i was baby-things shopping with my expectant sister, and it was glaringly obvious that i’m quite unqualified to give any experiential counsel. as much as i’ve joked that i’m glad she’s going first on this one (which is another cerebral saga altogether), i felt like i was failing on my Big Sister duties.

this new dynamic with my brother and sister may be unfamiliar and sometimes uncomfortable for me, but i’m growing to appreciate it more all the time.

i’m so proud of you, bry and kel!  and so grateful for you. i am a very lucky Big Sister.

reflecting on the past five years of marriage to my love has left me feeling grateful, amazed, content, supported, happy, secure, and loved. what more could a girl ask for?

especially when four of those five years have been spent in the trenches and aftermath of a war that cost us so dearly. certainly not what these newlyweds were expecting following a carefree, playful, fairy tale road leading up to marriage.

but i truly believe we are stronger for it. and i’m only inspired to be a better wife after seeing the way lee has served me so selflessly through it all.

happy anniversary, babe. looking forward to the next 55!

Filed under: family ]]> http://okieolio.com/2011/09/22/5/feed/ 0 trisha @ okieOLIO 2651221431_14e884ee3c_b http://okieolio.com/2011/08/26/summer-uniform/ http://okieolio.com/2011/08/26/summer-uniform/#comments Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:46:45 +0000 t http://okieolio.com/?p=2494 ]]> my friend laura of Hollywood Housewife periodically hosts a brag book link-up – an excuse and license to say “look at me!” without apologies. this time she has challenged her readers to post a picture in their favorite summer outfit. i’ve yet to be disappointed after trying something uncomfortable at laura’s urging, so i decided to participate.

i work from home, so my standard summer uniform is the most comfy shorts and tee i can find, no makeup, hair in a pony or messy bun. i tried the whole get-dolled-up-for-the-home-office thing… it lasted a day. so when i get out of the house, i like to get “dressed,” even if i’m just running to the grocery store.

thanks to a freshly organized closet and bits of creative inspiration on Pinterest, putting together an outfit has been more fun lately. but because it’s been so unbelievably hot this summer, i am drawn to the clothes that have the least contact with my skin: dresses.

this dress is a favorite because 1) it’s so lightweight, 2) it has ruffles 3) it has pockets. i am obsessed with dresses and skirts that have pockets. i never like to be without places to stash my chapstick and scribbled notes-to-self. even my favorite lounge pants and gym shorts have pockets.

confession: it’s not even my dress. my sweet sister loaned it to me for the summer because her baby-baking belly is currently too voluminous to fit into it. three cheers for sisters, unborn nieces, and borrowed threads!

the gold bangles were my mom‘s. they came from lebanon and she wore them with everything. the sound they make when they clang together reminds me of her. i got the necklace on a beach in mexico straight from the artist – it’s hand-blown glass and wire.

i love the look of heels (and my wee 5’2″ frame could use the boost), but i always wear flats. my feet are bare 90% of the time in summer, and they rebel if i try to make them trek all over town on a few extra inches. i usually wear the bag across my body so it doesn’t swing around or fall off my shoulder – but that kinda ruins an outfit pic, ya know? i carry this one almost daily. it came from kohl’s, i think, and it’s sustained some serious use quite beautifully.

well, that was only slightly terrifying. kudos to laura for getting us out of our comfort zones. be sure check out the other brave souls showing off their summer style and give them some love. self-portraits are hard!

earrings: ten thousand villages

ring: lia sophia

belt: um…high school?

tank: volcom

sandals: madden girl

what’s in your go-to summer wardrobe? do you have an outfit that always makes you feel great?